There are some 195,000 restaurants in America (if you ignore the fast-food kind). So finding FOOD & WINE's annual Best New Chefs—supertalented men and women who are pushing culinary boundaries—is no easy job. But that's what makes the search so worthwhile. First we evaluate hundreds of nominations from food journalists and restaurant professionals nationwide, identifying exciting chefs who've been in charge of kitchens for less than five years. Then F&W editors log thousands of miles on the road and countless meals. This year, we were thrilled to discover Best New Chefs in unexpected places—notably Kansas City, Missouri, and Boulder, Colorado—as well as four winners in hotel kitchens. We're proud to present America's next culinary superstars and their sensational recipes.